"Classic" naked tourers

[Wolf]

I used to have tons of fun on my brother-in-law's old GT550 and I looked at buying one just before I got the LS400 but, as Ixion said, they're hard to find parts for and no good as a "one-and-only" bike.

By all means buy one as a weekend plaything in addition to your regular bike and it won't matter if it's off the road for three months.

The R80 looks beautiful. I personally would go for that. It looks like someone has poured a lot of TLC into it.

I took the R100 for a test spin and found it comfortable and a lot of fun to ride. (story is in the "Riding Tales" page of my website, if you're interested).

After the Road-Trails, the naked "classic" tourers are my favourite bikes. If I could afford it, I'd have a 1980s BMW R model - R80 or R100 - as well as the XT but I have to admit a certain bias towards the older BMW boxer twins.

If you can find one in good condition, an old Honda CB550 or 750 would be good. I found the 550 a mite bulky and heavy for my personal tastes, tho' (but I have no idea of how tall you are and you might find it a perfect fit.) Roj's CB750 is a monster and you have to be reasonably tall to ride it.

I utterly loved my old CB360 - small, light, manoeuvrable, reliable - and I toured all over the place on it - I'd heartily recommend a suitably sized Honda CB.

I know people who deride the older touring bikes because of their bench seats, of all things, but personally I have always found them quite comfortable to sit on for lengthy rides. I found the shaped seat of my LS400 far more uncomfortable (but part of that is most likely the back-on-the-tail-bone seating posture of the cruiser compared with the more upright posture of the tourer).

[vamr]

I used to have tons of fun on my brother-in-law's old GT550 and I looked at buying one just before I got the LS400 but, as Ixion said, they're hard to find parts for and no good as a "one-and-only" bike.

By all means buy one as a weekend plaything in addition to your regular bike and it won't matter if it's off the road for three months.

The R80 looks beautiful. I personally would go for that. It looks like someone has poured a lot of TLC into it.

I took the R100 for a test spin and found it comfortable and a lot of fun to ride. (story is in the "Riding Tales" page of my website, if you're interested).

After the Road-Trails, the naked "classic" tourers are my favourite bikes. If I could afford it, I'd have a 1980s BMW R model - R80 or R100 - as well as the XT but I have to admit a certain bias towards the older BMW boxer twins.

If you can find one in good condition, an old Honda CB550 or 750 would be good. I found the 550 a mite bulky and heavy for my personal tastes, tho' (but I have no idea of how tall you are and you might find it a perfect fit.) Roj's CB750 is a monster and you have to be reasonably tall to ride it.

I utterly loved my old CB360 - small, light, manoeuvrable, reliable - and I toured all over the place on it - I'd heartily recommend a suitably sized Honda CB.

I know people who deride the older touring bikes because of their bench seats, of all things, but personally I have always found them quite comfortable to sit on for lengthy rides. I found the shaped seat of my LS400 far more uncomfortable (but part of that is most likely the back-on-the-tail-bone seating posture of the cruiser compared with the more upright posture of the tourer).

Thanks for that, I'm 5'8" or there abouts and around 60kg so am sort of built to take advantage of light japanese bikes.

I'll be sure to try early CBs when I get the chance, although I have developed an appreciation for the 2stroke engine their era has passed and it looks like (as others pointed out) maintenance will be an uphill battle.

[Ghost_Bullet]

I had a Nevada 750 club which I used as a tour bike, gutless though, but did the job.
I have heard good stuff regarding the new Beva 1100.
I now have the Grizz, and though not realy a touring bike, it is comfortable long distance, and if you do not need to carry much stuff then stock lugauge system is sweet.

[HenryDorsetCase]

without having an idea of budget, and you've cast the net fairly wide, and depending on what era you like, I will add my comments to the "get an SOHC4" post above. Ive got a CB400F and I really like it. not everyones cup of tea, but a very well regarded thing in its day. Handles OK (again, for its day) but the big difference between an old bike and a new bike is brakes, followed by tyres, followed by ability to go round a turn. I think its called "handling" and the Japs didnt really get that till the mid-late 80's. I think I could use the 400F as an "only" bike and not feel too short changed. Bits are available (ebay and David Silver are your friends) Its a nice looking thing, too. If you are in Chch you are welcome to take it for a spin (its not insured though).

CB750's (SOHC and DOHC) are BIG: 215kg dry if I remember, and 67hp when new. CB550s are cool as well but a 400F is nearly as quick and handles as well or better.

People want crazy money for them though, a completely mint 400F sold on tardme last year for $4500 (I should have bought it...)

You might have a think about some 80's stuff: (like the VF750F I have in my garage for cheap....) something like a GPz750, Gpz900, or something like that.

Suzuki GSX750 or 1100 maybe a Katana (dreadfully uncomfortable but soooo cool). The key to something this old is condition and maintenance history.

[vamr]

without having an idea of budget, and you've cast the net fairly wide, and depending on what era you like, I will add my comments to the "get an SOHC4" post above. Ive got a CB400F and I really like it. not everyones cup of tea, but a very well regarded thing in its day. Handles OK (again, for its day) but the big difference between an old bike and a new bike is brakes, followed by tyres, followed by ability to go round a turn. I think its called "handling" and the Japs didnt really get that till the mid-late 80's. I think I could use the 400F as an "only" bike and not feel too short changed. Bits are available (ebay and David Silver are your friends) Its a nice looking thing, too. If you are in Chch you are welcome to take it for a spin (its not insured though).

CB750's (SOHC and DOHC) are BIG: 215kg dry if I remember, and 67hp when new. CB550s are cool as well but a 400F is nearly as quick and handles as well or better.

People want crazy money for them though, a completely mint 400F sold on tardme last year for $4500 (I should have bought it...)

You might have a think about some 80's stuff: (like the VF750F I have in my garage for cheap....) something like a GPz750, Gpz900, or something like that.

Suzuki GSX750 or 1100 maybe a Katana (dreadfully uncomfortable but soooo cool). The key to something this old is condition and maintenance history.

The budget would be between 4-6k so it theoretically would facilitate flexibility in choice. Would idealy have change left for a decent tidy up (seals, carbs, tyres...). As I'd initially stated, this isn't an immediate purchase, will be at least 4 months away from actually being in a position to purchase the said bike with the above budget in mind. Bear in mind this isn't a "day-dream" thread.

However, how practical would it be to pick up the "was running before being placed in storage X years ago but STILL LOOKS GOOD" sort of "bargain" to tinker with (am ok for transport as have a running bike + car for when the fore stated decides to seize on me )? The major limitation would be my lack of mechanical knowledge which would greatly increase the time spent on any given thing.

Thank you for the offer but am in Auckland.

[Ixion]

Word of warning, be very cautious about two strokes that have been sitting unused for some time (say, > 1 year). They don't like disuse, the crankcase seals dry out.

4 strokes, the problem with being left unused is sludging oil, which can block galleries (so draining the old oil is no cure) and rotting exhausts. BTW the common practice of "start it up once a month" makes this much worse. It needs a decent run to keep things working, enough for everything to heat properly up. And also on roller bearing big ends, lack of use can lead to corrosion and rapid bearing failure .

[Bonez]

CB750's (SOHC and DOHC) are BIG: 215kg dry if I remember, and 67hp when new. CB550s are cool as well but a 400F is nearly as quick and handles as well or better.

Cb550s are better for larger/taller folk. And the cam chain tensioner setup is better. One thing the 400 does have that the 500/550s don't is a slipper for the primary camc hain to rub on instead of chewing into the ali castings when they wear. On the 500/550s this is the oil gallery from the sump pick up to the filter. The sohc cb650s have a spring load primary chain tensioner setup that includes his. The 550s certainly are more nimble than the 750s and handle quite well. I own a DOHC 750 bought from new. Had mine 20 years now. 76hp with fairing and once rolling the weight isn't that bad. Also owned a sohc cb750, so have first hand knowlegde of how they all ride. Cowboyz, Meanie, dhunt and a few other KBers will testify to handling capabilities of the 550 when things get tight. Not up to the modern day sprot bikes, but good all the same. Another underrated old bike, quite simple to work on and dirt cheap. Toured up and down both islands on it no problems. Well non that couldn't be sorted with a bit of lockwire, inslation tape and super glue...........

Bit about the bike-

Ok they have points ignition, this can be replaced by after market solid state units, but I've only replaced one set of points in the 70,000kms I've done on it.

Now as for engine work she got a refresh at about 80,000 and is now due for some more work at 142,000. I bought this for $750 back in 1986 spent around $1500
on it in 1989 plus bought complete new exhaust system for it at around $1200 (plenty of "disposible" income at that time and hated the after market four into ones). Also fitted braided brake lines. Then when the standard muffler gave up the ghost a couple of years ago bought an after market Dunstall replica for $110. Fitted new braided lines about 8 months ago, basicly because the old ones have been on for around 10 years and the teflon inner doesn't last for ever. Oh a pair of fork OEM gaiters and one fork seal. Paint job-was orange, still have a new orange tank in the attic along with spare side covers. Rear wheel bearings on the spare back wheel and steering head bearings were also replaced-can't remember when but have never bothered to get around to fitting tapered rollrs, maybe next time. The standard filter/oil changes every 3-4000kms, fork oil, chains-3 non o-ring, sprockets (only one set in the time Ive had it-regular oil/adjustments I guess), tyres and tune up at twice the recomended interval. Koni rear shocks and 1 inch spacer up front tidied up handling even more. On it's third battery. It's been good to me.

A good SOHC site here- http://www.sohc4.us/
New shoc cb750k parts available here- http://www.yamiya750.com/ click on the "ENGLISH" link.
A good DOHC honda site - http://www.cb1100f.net
A good oldschool GS/GSX site - http://www.thegsresources.com/
I'm sure others can give good old school Kawasaki and Yamaha links.
There's various VJMC sites like this one which have usefull info too- http://www.vjmc.org/


Edit-I'm after a Viper cafe racer style bikini fairing, possibly a couple, if anyone can put me on a good source thanks.

[Wolf]

4 strokes, the problem with being left unused is sludging oil, which can block galleries (so draining the old oil is no cure)

And that's pretty much what HondaCMX450 said had happened to the second-hand engne I put in the GSX250: it had been too long without use, the galleries were blocked and the engine wasn't getting properly lubed, so ride it to work a few times and it's wrecked.

Makes sense, because it ran fine at first and then would die when hot and when you tried to turn it over it wouldn't. Got to the point it wouldn't turn over when cold, either.

When I bought the CB550 the engine was seized and it had to be stripped and repaired - and the bastards didn't put the seals back in properly so it died after only a few months' use (thought it was just because the bike was so old so did nothing about it, sold it to a friend who later autopsied it and said that it had not been properly repaired.)

Been bloody lucky with the blue-smokes - both the Puch and the Zundapp had not been run for around 5 years and they fired up fine and ran well and I left the Zundapp's engine unattended for around a year and a half while restoring it and it was still fine, gave me years of service.

Luck of the draw, I guess.

[Eurodave]

Edit-I'm after a Viper cafe racer style bikini fairing, possibly a couple, if anyone can put me on a good source thanks.

Hey bud, as you may already know I make various fibreglass bikini fairings...... including an exact copy of the one in your pic...........

[Highlander]

Does My baby fit the "Classic Naked Tourer" box?

'92 Honda CB 750 (F2N) I picked it up with just under 10,000 Km and have done 15,000 since. Modification consists of a Pack rack. I use a magnetic tank bag depending on where I am going. Other than that have only done Routine servicing and a couple of tyres.

Have been up to Cape Reinga (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=36433 , same write up in Bike Rider Mag).

Am absolutely loving it.

Thinking seriously about the Southern Cross in 2007, trying to rope in a couple of riding partners.

[Bonez]

Hey bud, as you may already know I make various fibreglass bikini fairings...... including an exact copy of the one in your pic...........

Prefer a plastic one, lighter than fiberglass. Thanks anyway.

[Bonez]

Does My baby fit the "Classic Naked Tourer" box?

'92 Honda CB 750 (F2N)

Should be ideal. Also known as the "Nighthawk". Those babies where in production up to 2003, I beleive. So there shouldn't be any parts problems. The engines been around since the CBX750 and no bloody 16 inch front wheel.

[Wolf]

Does My baby fit the "Classic Naked Tourer" box?

Most definitely - and a bloody tidy one, too. Very nice.

[Squiggles]

cx500

[Highlander]

Now that I've read all the posts:

I bought mine 18 months ago in the $4 - $6k range you mention.

I commute on it all the time, and go for a couple hr ride every week or so.

Hasn't missed a beat.

I get 330 - 350 Km from a tank depending on if I'm commuting, blatting 1 or 2 up.

Had it on the track at Taupo and can confirm it is still accelerating when the speedo runs out of numbers at 190 (more than enough for me).

The only thing I have done other than the pack rack is replaced the standard headlight bulb with a Xenon one of the same wattage - well worth the $20 a pair.